How to repot your orchid
Orchids prefer a snug fit, but refreshing their pot once in a while keeps them thriving. Replacing degraded bark, removing dead roots, and giving healthy roots the airflow they need promotes continuous healthy growth.
Is it time to repot?
Signs your orchid needs repotting
When you slide the plant out from its pot (or check through the sides of a clear pot), you see plenty of roots wrapping around the outside of the root ball
The orchid bark has broken down and started to look and feel like dirt or compost near the bottom. This suffocates the roots and means it's time for fresh bark, even if the pot isn't full yet.
Signs to hold off on repotting
When you slide the root ball out, most of the bark falls apart easily on its own and the plant doesn’t have a lot of roots
Potting media stays wet for a long time after watering
Roots look dark, mushy or moldy, and the plant shows other signs of stress. Pause repotting and visit Dr. Planta (stethoscope icon 🩺) in the app to diagnose the problem first
Recommended soil types for orchids
Orchids are sometimes sold planted in pure sphagnum moss. While this works in commercial greenhouses, moss retains a lot of moisture and makes it harder to avoid root rot in a home environment. We recommend using coarse orchid bark, either on its own or as the primary component of your mix, to ensure fast drainage and plenty of airflow around the roots.
Recommended soil types
This is how you repot your orchid
Prep your space, materials and equipment
Avoid direct sunlight. If you're working indoors, lay down a repotting mat, some old newspaper, or a flattened plastic bag to catch falling soil.
Keep your media, pot, and any tools you might need close by.Soak the root ball
Soak your orchid in a bowl of room-temperature water for 5 - 10 minutes before repotting. This helps the roots turn green, pliable, and easier to unstick from the pot without breaking them.Remove the pot
Avoid pulling hard on the plant. It can help to tilt the pot on its side and pull the pot off the root ball rather than lifting the plant straight up.
If the root ball is stuck in the pot, we have some tips:Gently squeeze or press the sides if it’s in a flexible pot.
Run a dull knife or similar tool along the inner edge of the pot to release the roots.
Choose the new pot
Pick a pot that is about a quarter wider in diameter (a 25% increase). For smaller plants, this typically means a 1- to 2-inch (2.5-5 cm) upgrade.Clean up the root ball
Gently tease the old bark or moss away from the roots with your fingers. Also try to check the center for any moss and remove it. Many store-bought orchids have a dense sponge or tightly packed ball of peat moss hidden right in the middle of the roots under the base of the plant. Gently pull this out. Using a pair of clean scissors, trim away any dead roots. Healthy roots are firm and plump (usually green, pale or silvery-white). Dead roots will feel papery, hollow, or mushy and brown.Add media to the bottom
Pour a bottom layer of fresh bark into the new pot. Set the plant inside. The top of the root ball should sit slightly below the rim.Center the plant
Check that it is centered and positioned as you want it before adding more bark.Fill with potting media
Add bark around the root ball. You can also tap the sides of the pot to help it settle into larger air pockets without packing it too tightly. Make sure the base of the bottom leaves (the crown) sits above the potting mix. If the leaves are buried, they can rot.Water
Water until a bit of water drains from the bottom holes.
Additional tips
Pot size
If in doubt, err on the smaller side when selecting a new pot. Moving up just one pot size at a time is usually plenty, and repotting more frequently in smaller steps is safer than jumping to a much larger pot all at once.
Pot type
Orchids prefer clear pots because their roots can perform photosynthesis and benefit from light exposure. Clear pots also make it easy to monitor root health and check soil moisture without disturbing the plant. For extra prevention against root rot, look for specialized orchid pots with ventilation slots along the sides to maximize airflow.
Pot drainage
The pot holding the plant needs at least one bottom drainage hole to allow excess water to pass through freely when you water it.
Clean reused pots
Wash plastic or glazed ceramic containers with soap and water before reusing them. Removing old soil residue eliminates potential hidden pests that could otherwise transfer to your orchid.
After repotting
Repotting can be a stressful event for your orchid, especially if the roots were untangled, pruned, or accidentally damaged in the process.
To help your plant bounce back quickly and avoid potential harm:
Keep a closer eye on the moisture level. Root disturbance and a pot upgrade can temporarily slow down how fast the media dries out. Be prepared to snooze watering tasks in the app if the soil is still too wet.
Do not add plant food right away. Fresh soil already has nutrients, and adding extra fertilizer can burn sensitive or stressed roots. The app will automatically pause feeding tasks for a safe period after a repotting task has been completed.
Frequently asked questions
My orchid has roots growing up into the air outside of the pot! Should I cut them off or bury them?
It’s best to leave them alone. Those are aerial roots. Because epiphytic orchids grow in trees in the wild, they naturally send roots out into the humid air to gather moisture and grab onto branches. It is a sign of a happy orchid. Do not cut them off, and don't try to force them down into the new pot if they don't want to bend, as they will easily snap.
Can I repot my orchid while it's blooming?
We recommend holding off on repotting while your plant is in bloom. Repotting causes temporary stress, and flowers and buds are the most sensitive parts of the plant. They can easily develop blemishes or drop off entirely. Especially if you untangle or disturb the roots.
When is the best time of year to repot orchids?
Spring and early summer are generally the best times because the plant is actively growing and will settle into its new pot faster. If you live in a place with dark winters, avoid repotting in fall and winter unless strictly necessary.
My orchid hasn't filled its pot with roots yet, but it lacks nutrients. Should I repot?
No. Repotting gives roots more physical room to grow, improves moisture retention, or replaces decomposed media. Repotting it too early purely to supply nutrients is unnecessary and can trigger repotting stress or a higher risk of a watering imbalance. If your plant is hungry, start feeding it fertilizer on a regular schedule instead.
Should I repot my new orchid immediately after bringing it home?
It’s best to hold off on repotting until it is done blooming, or at least for a week or two. The plant will benefit from adjusting to the light, humidity and temperature of its new home before facing the stress of repotting.
What should I do if my decorative pot does not have drainage holes?
It is completely fine to keep your indoor orchid in a plastic nursery pot with drainage holes and place it inside a decorative pot without holes. The key is ensuring the pot holding the soil can drain properly. Using a decorative cachepot or saucer makes it easy to lift up the inner pot and empty any collected runoff water after you finish watering your plant.
Just keep in mind that if the plant is outdoors, both pots need drainage holes. Otherwise, rainwater can collect inside and drown the roots.
Can I plant in a pot without drainage holes if I put rocks or gravel at the bottom instead?
We don't recommend doing this because it makes watering much harder to manage. Over time, that gravel layer can still fill up with water, drastically increasing the risk of overwatering and root rot. On the flip side, you might end up underwatering your plant out of fear of pooling water at the bottom.
I have a dying orchid. Will repotting it save it?
Not necessarily. While repotting can be one of the necessary steps for certain issues, in many cases it adds unnecessary stress to an already struggling plant rather than helping it. We recommend diagnosing your plant using Dr. Planta (stethoscope icon 🩺) in the app before taking action.